Yosemite Closes Cabins because of Rockfall Risk

Yosemite National Park announced Thursday it's permanently closing about 20 cabins in its popular lodging area because of risk of rockfall. The closures are prompted by a new study of the valley's geology.

Yosemite National Park Ranger Scott Gediman says new data
prompted the closing of 18 canvas- and wood-sided cabins, as well
as two dorms that house 30 employees. All are located in the park's
popular Curry Village.

GEDIMAN: "Yosemite National Park hired a company to basically
fly an airplane across Yosemite Valley, and literally thousands of
high-resolution photographs were taken of the cliff walls."

The laser photographs helped them develop a more accurate
picture of rockfall patterns from the valley's iconic 3,000-foot
granite walls. Gediman says the permanent cabin closures will
significantly reduce risk to visitors. He says the park will
not be closing any trails or visitor areas.

Park managers had already closed about one-third of the housing
in Yosemite's Curry village in 2008, after a serious rock fall
injured some visitors and damaged some cabins.